Síolta

Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education, was developed by the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.

Síolta is designed to define, assess and support the improvement of quality across all aspects of practice in early childhood care and education (ECCE) settings where children aged birth to six years are present. These settings include:

• Full and Part-time Daycare

• Childminding

• Sessional services

• Infant classes in primary schools

Síolta is comprised of three distinct but interrelated elements: 

• Principles

• Standards 

• Components of Quality

Aistear

Aistear is the National Curriculum Framework for children from birth to six years in Ireland. The word Aistear is the Irish word for ‘journey’ and was chosen because early childhood marks the beginning of children’s lifelong learning journeys.

The Aistear framework can be used as a guide in planning holistic learning experiences in sessional, full and part-time day care settings, infant classes in primary schools and childminding services. It can also be used by parents in children’s own homes.

Aistear describes learning and development through four interconnected themes:

•Identity and Belonging
•Communicating
•Exploring and Thinking